§ Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether, during the court of inquiry into the conditions in the nine prisoner-of-war camps in Belgium, steps were taken to obtain the views of men who had been in the camps when conditions had been bad, or whether only present occupants were questioned; and how many of those Members of Parliament and journalists who had brought to the public notice, as distinct from that of the 301W authorities, the fact that conditions had been bad were invited to give evidence;
(2) if he will give the date on which each of the nine prisoner-of-war camps in Belgium was opened and the date in each case when the first inspection from headquarters was made; on what date in each case adverse reports were received at his Department; and how soon was he satisfied in each case that improvements were adequate;
(3) what is the nature or character of the investigation or inquiry made into the management at each one of the nine prisoner-of-war camps in Belgium; whether, and in how many cases it was found necessary to take disciplinary action; and in how many cases has the commandant been dismissed.
§ Mr. LawsonThe date on which each of the nine prisoner of war Camps was opened on the Lines of Communication and the date of the first inspection by Headquarters were as follow:
Camp Number. Date of Opening. Date of First Inspection. 2218 … … 18.8.44 10.3.45 2221 … … 26.3.45 17.4.45 2224 … … 18.8.44 16.2.45 2225 … … 26.3.45 20.4.45 2226 … … 20.2.45 20.3.45 2227 … … 20.2.45 20.3.45 2228 … … 20.3.45 31.5.45 2232 … … 51.4.45 22.5.45 2375 … … 18.8.44 31.3.45 These camps were subsequently concentrated in Belgium by 1st May, 1945, except Camp 2225, which was transferred to Belgium in February, 1946. They were under the administration of Headquarters—B.A.O.R. to whom reports were rendered as necessary by Headquarters Lines of Communication. A report dated 3rd January, 1946, was forwarded to Headquarters, B.A.O.R. from Headquarters Lines of Communication regarding the high incidence of deaths in No. 2228 Camp during November and December, 1945. Matters improved rapidly and by the middle of February this camp reached a satisfactory standard. No other specific investigation was made until I gave instructions for a Court of Inquiry following the allegations which appeared in the Press in May, 1946. As explained to the hon. Member on 2nd July, this was a military Court of Inquiry. I decided that its results did not call for dis- 302W ciplinary action. The composition of the court was referred to in the statement on 2nd July and, as also indicated in the statement, every endeavour was made to obtain evidence from officers and others who had first-hand information on the conditions in the camps during the period covered by the allegations. No Members of Parliament or journalists were among those invited to give evidence. All occupants of the camps who appeared before the court had been in the camps during the winter.